Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Jennifer Gonzalez
Elizabeth Boyd-Mustica
Clinical Laboratory M401
October 14, 2011
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is also known as Cabalamin, it is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to maintain the healthy central nervous system and the formation of the red blood cells. Usually water soluble vitamins can’t be stored by the body. However, Vitamin B12 is a special kind of vitamin that can be stored in the liver for years. It is also needed to make the DNA material that exists in every cell. The average adult needs 2.4 microgram of vitamin B12 daily. Pregnant and lactating women need slightly more up to 2.8 micrograms per day. Like other vitamins, vitamin B12 is important for the metabolism. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a severe problem In the Indian Subcontinent, Mexico, Central, South America and selected areas in Africa. This deficiency is not really common in Asia except in vegetarians. Vitamin B12 Deficiency was discovered from its relationship to a disease called pernicious anemia, which is an auto immune disease that destroys parietal cells in the stomach that secrete intrinsic factor. (Chudakov, Masalha and Muhamad)
A Vitamin B12 Deficiency occurs when the body is unable to properly use the vitamin This deficiency is a cause of anemia which occurs when there isn’t sufficient amount of hemoglobin in the blood. It prevents enough oxygen from reaching tissues and cells of the body. Pernicious anemia is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia though out the world especially in persons of European and Africa descent. This deficiency is increasing in vegetarians and cause hyperhomocys-teinemia. Pernicious anemia can make the body unable to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestinal tract. Occasionally, excess alcohol intake, the diabetes’ drug Metmorfin or proton pump inhibitors like Prevacid can interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B12.
Inadequate dietary intake of Vitamin B12 and chronic alcohol abuse are not the only thing that can cause
Elizabeth Boyd-Mustica
Clinical Laboratory M401
October 14, 2011
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is also known as Cabalamin, it is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to maintain the healthy central nervous system and the formation of the red blood cells. Usually water soluble vitamins can’t be stored by the body. However, Vitamin B12 is a special kind of vitamin that can be stored in the liver for years. It is also needed to make the DNA material that exists in every cell. The average adult needs 2.4 microgram of vitamin B12 daily. Pregnant and lactating women need slightly more up to 2.8 micrograms per day. Like other vitamins, vitamin B12 is important for the metabolism. Vitamin B12 deficiency is a severe problem In the Indian Subcontinent, Mexico, Central, South America and selected areas in Africa. This deficiency is not really common in Asia except in vegetarians. Vitamin B12 Deficiency was discovered from its relationship to a disease called pernicious anemia, which is an auto immune disease that destroys parietal cells in the stomach that secrete intrinsic factor. (Chudakov, Masalha and Muhamad)
A Vitamin B12 Deficiency occurs when the body is unable to properly use the vitamin This deficiency is a cause of anemia which occurs when there isn’t sufficient amount of hemoglobin in the blood. It prevents enough oxygen from reaching tissues and cells of the body. Pernicious anemia is a common cause of megaloblastic anemia though out the world especially in persons of European and Africa descent. This deficiency is increasing in vegetarians and cause hyperhomocys-teinemia. Pernicious anemia can make the body unable to absorb vitamin B12 from the intestinal tract. Occasionally, excess alcohol intake, the diabetes’ drug Metmorfin or proton pump inhibitors like Prevacid can interfere with the absorption of Vitamin B12.
Inadequate dietary intake of Vitamin B12 and chronic alcohol abuse are not the only thing that can cause
Cited: Chudakov, B., et al. Cobalamin reponsive psychosis as the sole manifestation of Vitamin B12 Deficiency 2001: 701-703. Halfdanarson, Thorvardur R., et al. "Severe Vitamin B12 Deficiency Resulting in Pancytopenia, Splenomegaly, and Leokoerythroblastosis." European Journal of Haematology 80.5 (2008): 448-451. Sally, M., et al. Could It Be B12? An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses . 2nd Edition. Linden Publishing, 2011. Sally, P., Allen and Robert. "EBSCO Host." Vitamin B12 Deficiency As A wide World Problem n.d., 2044 ed.: 299-326.